Auto Insurance Deductibles Explained

Auto insurance deductibles represent the amount a policyholder agrees to pay out of pocket before insurance coverage applies to a covered claim. Deductibles play a direct role in how claims are paid, how premiums are priced, and how financial responsibility is shared between the insurer and the policyholder.

While deductibles are commonly associated with collision and comprehensive coverage, they can also apply to other parts of an auto insurance policy depending on coverage type and state regulations. Choosing the right deductible involves balancing upfront cost savings with the ability to absorb out-of-pocket expenses after an accident or loss.

This section explains how auto insurance deductibles work, how they apply across different coverages, how they affect premiums and claims, and how to choose deductible levels that align with financial risk tolerance.


Articles in This Section

  1. What an Auto Insurance Deductible Is
  2. How Auto Insurance Deductibles Work
  3. Collision vs Comprehensive Deductibles Explained
  4. How Deductibles Affect Auto Insurance Premiums
  5. Choosing a High vs Low Auto Insurance Deductible
  6. When Paying a Higher Deductible Makes Sense
  7. When a Lower Deductible Is the Better Option
  8. How Deductibles Apply After an Auto Accident
  9. Deductibles and At-Fault vs Not-At-Fault Claims
  10. Per-Claim vs Per-Occurrence Deductibles
  11. How Deductibles Work With Comprehensive Claims
  12. How Deductibles Apply to Collision Coverage
  13. Do Deductibles Apply to Liability Coverage
  14. How Multiple Deductibles Work on One Policy
  15. Deductible Waivers and When They Apply
  16. Deductibles and Rental Car Damage Claims
  17. How Deductibles Affect Claim Frequency
  18. Changing Your Auto Insurance Deductible
  19. Common Misunderstandings About Auto Deductibles
  20. When Auto Insurance Deductibles Are Not Enough

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